Birmingham Commonwealth Games generated £1.2bn to UK economy

A new report published today has revealed that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games contributed £1.2bn to the UK economy.

Almost half of this amount was generated in the West Midlands, where the largest multi-sport event in England since the London 2012 Olympics took place.

The event brought together 6,600 athletes and team officials from 72 Commonwealth nations and territories

Findings from the report reveal that games played a role in boosting the economy, creating new jobs, and developing lasting infrastructure.

£1.2bn was also generated for the UK economy, with almost half of that benefiting the West Midlands and creating over 22,000 full-time jobs.

As the games were completed with budget, surplus funds, amounting to £70m, are being reinvested in the West Midlands.

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said: “With over 1.5 million tickets sold, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was a record-breaking event that is still having a positive impact on the region two years on.

“This report shows that hosting major sporting events in this country boosts growth, creates jobs and has a lasting social impact for communities and some of the world’s best athletes will once again descend on Birmingham for the European Athletics Championships in 2026.”

The Games were supported by the Business and Tourism Programme (BATP) – the first economic legacy program linked to a Commonwealth Games.

Run by the West Midlands Growth Company with help from the Government, Visit Britain, and the West Midlands Combined Authority, the program aimed to boost trade, investment, and tourism

Commonwealth Games Federation President Chris Jenkins OBE said: “Birmingham 2022 was a spectacular, record-breaking Games that created iconic moments on and off the field, uniting the Commonwealth through sport. The first major multi-sport event in history to award more medals to women than men, with the largest ever fully integrated programme of Para sport, it captivated more than 1.5 million attending fans and had a global TV audience of 834.9 million views. 

“It was so much more than 11 days of sporting competition. The report outlines the positive impact and lasting legacy of the Games, which contributed £1.2 billion to the UK economy and £79.5 million in social value. It drove trade and inward investment, created jobs and boosted tourism, with visitor numbers to Birmingham and the West Midlands in 2022 the highest on record. From increased civic pride and social cohesion, to promoting community sport participation, the Games were truly transformational.”